Method of and means for producing tubular cord fabrics



Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,404

7 E. INGHAM METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR CORD FABRICS Filed-Jul 'ze, 1921 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 10 1926. E. INGHAM METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR CORD FABRICS Filed July 29, 1921 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 10 1926.

E. INGHAM METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR CORD FABRICS Filed July 29, 1921 7 she ets sheet' 3 E. INGHAM METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR CORD FABRICS Filed July 29, 1921 Y'Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 10, 1926.' 1,595,404

E. INGHAM METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR CORD FABRICS I Filed July 29, 1921. 7 Shee ts-Sheet 5 Aug. 10, 1926. 1,595,404

E. INGHAM METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR CORD FABRICS Filed July 29. 1921 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 71/! 11111111 17111, rill 111011111111,

Aug. 10, 1926. 1,595,404

E. INGHAM METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR CORD FABRICS Patented Aug. 10, 1925.

EMANUEL ING EAM, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COL'UIVE-31Ar METHOD or AND MEANS non rs-onncme TUBULAR Conn FABRICS.

Application filed. July 29, 1921. Serial No. 488,280.

This invention relates to a method of and means for producing tubular cord fabrics or structures, and more particularly for producing such tubular fabrics which are curved longitudinally or arcuate in form so as to be adapted for use as a basis for pneumatic tire carcasses. I

While my invention is of course, clearly well adapted for the production of straight tubular fabrics such as are employed in the manufacture of hose and the like, I have illustrated and described it only as applied to the production of arcuate or longitudinally curved fabrics intended for use in the manufacture of pneumatic tires. 7

Many attempts have heretoforebcen made to devise machines for automatically producing a bias or diagonal cord fabric suitable for tire carcasses, and for causing such fabric to conform to the shape of a tir The method most widely used at present consists in producing flat sheets of cord fabric with th-eco'rds running diagonally, and in applying such fiat sheets or strips around a suitable core, with which by means of heat and pressure, it is eventually caused to conform in a more or less accurate manner. It has also been proposed to provide aform in the shape of a tire and to lay diagonal cords back and forth around such form, thus building up a complete tire carcass which is subsequently removed from the form, after being completed.

In none of the attempts of which I am aware, however, has it ever been proposed to produce a cord fabric in indefinite lengths, which fabric is curved, both transversely and longitudinally as it comes from the machine on which it is formed, so that when a piece of proper length is cut off and its ends brought together, such piece automatically assumes the exact shape of a tire carcass.

It is therefore the main object of the present invention, to provide a method and me ns for producing a cord fabric continuo s y and inindefinite lengths, such cord. fabric being longitudinally curved or arouatein form and tending to curl itself into coils it comes from the machine on which it;i's actnied', snchcoils' being of. sub: sta'litially' the same diameter as that fifths tire to be produced. More specifically, the J 'esent invention has for its object the pro duction of a curved tubular fabric of the kindv described comprising a plurality of plies or layers, the cords in adjacent plies: be ing disposed at an angle to each other, and the cords in at least some of the plies lying at an angle to the axis of the tire. In other words, I propose to produce in in definite lengths. a complete curved tubular cord fabric made up of superposed layers of bias or diagonally extending cords which cross each other.

in order that my invention may be readily understood, reference 1s had to the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodi- Inent thereof, and forming a part of this specification, in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine designed for producing a Q-ply diagonal cord fabric.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of such machine, a portion of the cord fabric being shown in section.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on an enlarged. scale through the arcuate form or mandrel around which the cords are laid.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section through such form on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 55 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of 3 looking. in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, diagrammatic side elevation of a portion of the Q-ply fabric produced in accordance with my invention, parts being broken away to show the rear side thereof.

F ig. 9 is an end elevation of the upper end of the form or mandrel about which the cords are laid.

Fig. 10 is a View partly in section and partly in side elevation, illustrating one oi' my improved winding arms and the method. of supplying a heating medium thereto.

Fig. .11 is aplan View similar to Fig. 1, but showing a modified arrangement for winding :1. single layer of cord at right-angles to the axis of the form; and

i 12 is a fragmentary end elevation of aring shown at the right of Fig. 11. 'erring to the drawings 'in detail, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to thereof, it will be seen that my improved machine coinp-rises a suitable base or standard 1 on which is supported a table or platform 2 on which the mechanism is mounted. At one end of the table 2 is a pair of spaced tip-standing side plates 3, and these support the lower end of the curved arcuate form or mandrel s about which the cords are laid.

Referring especially to Figs. 3 and i, it will be seen that this term or mandrel comprises a central rib or frame 5, preferably formed of cast iron, and a pair of trough shaped portions 6, which when fitted on either sid 01 the central rib 5, produce a rtructure circular in crosssection as shown in Fig. l. The lower end of the rib or frame 5 is prolonged to form a supporting bracket T, and this is rigidly united with a cross web 8 terminating at each end in flanges 9, which are bolted to the inside of the side plates 3 by ieans ot bolts 10. Thus the form or mandrel is rigidly supported as shown in Fig. 3.

In order to successfully operate with rubberized cords as hereinafter described, it is desirable that the form or mandrel be heated. this end, I provide on the inside of the form, a pair oi longitudinally curved plates or strips 11. forming chords showof the circle and providing between 1e outer shell 01 the form, i nbers l2 d 13 to which or other heating medium may be supiihed by suitable means (not shown). Thus the entire form may be maintained at aiy desired temperature.

Mounted at suitable intervals throughout the hollow interior of the form or mandrel, are a series of ti'ansversely GXtGDQlIg rollers 14% spaced approinniately as shown in Fig. 3.

upper end of the form or mandrel a or tape 18 extends from a reel or spool 21 suitably supported beneath the machine, and after pas: over a guide roller 20, is led through an opening 19 in the bottom of the tone or mandrel. It then passes over one set of the rollers 14 and out of the upper end of the term, thence back over roller and along the entire outer periphery of the arcuate form, against which it lies closely as shown in Fig. 3. This band or tape may be of any suitable width, but prefer .s y should not be wide enough to buckle or wrinkle appre lably by reason of the double curvature which it has to assume in passing over the term.

Another band or ta e 22 is fed from a second reel or spool 25 journaled between the plates 3, and aassing over a guide it the lower end of the form 4 are two pairs 0t feed rollers 26, 27 and 28, 29, the

i 26 and 29 beino' idlers and being housed underneath the term, while the rolland are caused to grip the tapes 18 a d i so =e iulers 26 ectively between themselves and and 2 The bite between'the d 27 and the rollers 28 and 29 rably substantially flushwith the inner surfaces respectively of the 0 that the tape 18 passes straight etween t he rollers 26 and 27 and t e 2:; passes smoothly down between the c and 29. The rollers 27 and 28 a knurled or roughened surface as clearv.hown in 1, 5 and 6, and are posier than will the roller 28 the tape sins is necessary because of the diiierend: in radius between the outer and inner peripheries of the arcuate form or mandrel, in oroer that any two points on the two tapes wh ch are in radial alignment at the upper end or" the form, shall remain in radial alignnient as the two tapes travel along the outer and inner iicripheries of the form.

The rollers and 28 are secured to shafts and 2: 1 respectively, these shafts being journaled in the upper ends oi pairs of arms and 33 respectively, such pairs of arms being pivoted about lined axes indicated at 34- and The arms 32 and 33 have rigidly scour d thereto horizontally extending leversand respectively, such levers carrying their ends suitable weights 38 and 89. From an inspection of the draw' gs, it will be apparent that these weights tend to rotate the arms ant about their pivots L and 35, so as to cause the rol ers 27 and S to bite or grip the tape. Gears 4.0 and l are ri 'idly secured to the shafts and l, and inesn with similar gears l2 and 4-3 ournalcd about the pivots 3e and and e gears 42 and are constrained to rotate together by means or" intelineshing connect ing gearing dd and Thus when the gear 4-3 is rotates, the rollers 27- and 28 will be caused to rotate at the same speed and thus feed the tapes along the form, rocking of the levers and e no efiect on the gearing since the gears 42 and 3 are mounted concentrica lly therewith.

The gear -18 meshes with a, train or" gearing s6, 5, the lastelem n f whi h 33 on their pivots having 'lOO cured a bevel gear-49.

aiter in ore fully described.

fired to a "shaft '57 on which is-rigidly se- This 7 gear meshes with another bevel *gear fast on a shaft 51,

other end a belt wheel or pulley 53. A belt passes over the wheel 53 and a pulley 55 "fast on the shaft of an electric or other n1otor'56.

Also on the shaft- 57 is rigidly secured a sprocket wheel 58, and a sprocket chain 59 passes around the wheel 58 and a sprocket wheel 6i) fast on a shaft 61. On the shaft 61. is inoii'nted a cutter disc 62-, the periphery of which is disposed in close proximity to the inner periphery of the curved form 4: as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and this cutter serves to slit the tubular fabric on the inside of the curvature thereof as it is drawn along the form. It also slits the tape- 22 shown in I Fig. 8, which tape in passing do wnivardily is divided by a wedge shaped spreader 7 (see Figs. 6 and 7), which spreader is disposed immediately below the feed roller 28 and is supported on a cross bar 7 secured between the side plates 3 as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

In orderto wind or lay the cords around the form t, I e'i'npl'oy one or more windmg arins which are preferably crank-shaped. In Figs. 1 and 2-, I have shown a pair of winding arn'i's disposed at an angle of 90 to each other and substantially 45 tothe axis of the form. We. will consider first the single winding arm which I have designatedby the reference i'iuine'ral 63, and which is adapted to lay cord 4.. This arm is substantially horizontal and is journa-led in bearings 6%. T he body of the arin also passes through stulling box 6-1, as will be herein The rear end or the arm carries a bevel gear 65 which mesheswith a similar gear 66 on the upper end of a. shaft 67, mounted in suitable bearings supported by a franie 93, and carrying at its lower end, bevel gen 68 meshing with a bevel gear 69 rigidly secured to the shaft 61. Thus as the motor shaft runs, the arm 63 is made to revolve, thus causing its free or delivery end to gyrate around. the upper end of the form 4. By reference to Fig, 1, it will be noted that this upper end oi the *or'ni is preferably beveled off as indicated at i on a plane at right-angles to the axis "of the arin 63.

Referring to Fig. 10, it will be seen that the arm 63 is of hollow construction and con sists of outer and inner tubes 70 and 71 spaced apart as shown, to form an annular chamber "56. This chamber is closed at its end by me ns of a bushing 7 and" a packing l '73 surrounds the projecting end r tube 71 andis itself provided with o1 ,ig through which the cord pas s tronthe inner tube. 7

jh' ole stared. trifling sea; 64 surf rounds the outer tube 70 are has its ends ourn'aled in bearings 52 and carrying at itsclosed by suitable packing glands 78', it bebig understood that the winding arm is free to turn. in this stufling boxi lVithin the box there is formed an annular chamber 77, and the tube 70 is provided with openings 75 establishing communication between the chamber '77" and the annular space 76. In coinniunic-ation with the chamber 77 is a tubular support 7 9 which is mounted in a suitable clainp carried by the frame 98, and is connected at its lower end with a pipe 80. From the above described construction, it will be understood that steam or other heating medium supplied through the pipe 80 will pass up and into the annular space '76, thus forming a acket around the inner tube 71., which may be thereby heated to any desired degree.

n the manufacture of my improved cord "i0, I propose to use what is known as rubherized cord. This rubberizing may be accon'iplished in any way well known in the art, and the rubber coating may be made of any suitable or desired consistency. The cord inay bet'or'e being supplied to my machine or I may interposea suitable rubberizing die or device between the reel or spool on which the cord is wound and the end of the winding arin where the cord enters. In any event, it w. ill be understood that c0rd, suitably rubberized, is led into the rear open end of the ind: 1;; arm 63 as indicated at a in Fig. 2. it ith the construction so far described, it is obvious that as the delivery end of the arin is gyrated' around the form l, the

cord (6 will be laid or wound around the upaer end of such form and also around the two tafpe's 18 and 22, supported by the form. As the winding arm gyrat-es, the train of gearing as, &7, 46, 43', etc. will be actuated,

thus causing the feed rollers 27 and 28 to revolve, andcausing the tapes 18 and 22 to be drawn along the form 4 at speeds proportional to the respective radii of the inner an d outer peripheries oi the form. The exact speed of travel of these .t-apes will depend upon the size and character of the cord being employed, as evidently, the larger the cord, the faster must be the. feed. I It will therefore be understood that the speed of the tapes should be so adjusted as to be prope'rly proportioned to the speed at which the cord fabric is built up, so that the tapes will travel approximately a distance equal to the diameter of the cord during the time in v It is my intention that the successive adjacent convolutions of rubberized cord will be of such consistency as to adhere to each other and also to the tapes, and to this end itmay also be desirable in some cases to rub berize the tapes as well. The object of heating the form at and the hollow winding arm is to prevent the rubberized material from sticking thereto and cause the finished cord fabric to slide freely along the form l. The tapes or bands also assist in preventing sticking.

Fur her considering the operation of the winding arm 63, as best shown in Fig. 1, it will be observed that the successive convolutions of cord are wound or laid always in substantially the same plane, that is to s the plane defined by the path of the delivery end of the arm. In the arrangement above described, this plane intersects the axis of the form at an acute angle, shown as approx; imately Thus the finished fabric, consisting of the adjacent convolutions of cord, adhering to each other and to the tapes, is fed along the form at a rate enactly equ l tothat at which it is built up by the addition of successive convolutions, it being under stood that the cord is continuously wound in a fixed plane and the finished fabric con tinuously fed along so as to make room for the successively added turns.

hen the tubular fabric has been drawn along the form to the point where the cutter disk 62 is reached, the fabric comprising the cords and tape is slit by the cutter, as indicated by the line a; in Fig. 7, and thereafter becomes C-shaped instead of a cornpiete tube. This C-s iaped fabric then passes down over the spreader 7, as shown more particularly in Fig. 7, and its edges are thus spread apart so that the fabric can be removed from the form as indicated at 7 lt is only necessary that the edges be (o. spread far enough apart to clear the supporting bracket 7.

Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be seen that I have shown a second windingarin i 35 disposed at substantially right-angles to the arm 68 and adapted to lay cords in a plane at substantially right-angles to the cords a. This arm 83 is in all respects similar to the arm 63, except that the radius of gyration is preferably greater in order to enable it to properly clear the form. The arm 83 passes through a stutling be 84:, similar to 64, and is journaled in bearings 8%. It carries at its rear end a bevel gear 85 meshing with a bevel gear 86 carried on an inclined shaft 87, journaled in bearings 94, supported by the frame 93 and carrying at its lower end a bevel gear 88. This meshes with a bevel gear 89 mounted on a shaft 90, journaled in bearings 91 and. carrying at its inner end a bevel gear 82 meshing with a bevel gear 81 on the shaft 51. In this way motion is transmitted from the shaft 51 to the winding arm 83.

It may be here noted that the gear 82 is preferably secured to the shaft by means of a set screw 92 or the like in such a manner that it may be loosened and shifted out of mesh with the gear 81. In this way either one or both of the winding arms may be employed as desired. 7

Assuming that both winding arms are employed, and that a cord a is fed to the wind ing arm 63, and a cord Z) to the winding arm it will be seen that two layers of cords will be simultaneously and continuously wound upon the form 4, the convolutions of the two cords lying at an angle to each other, so that they cross. In this way a Q-ply diagonal cord fabric is built up, and the cords having been previously rubberized, will adhere to each other, thus forming a substantial tire carcass.

In Fig. 8, I have endeavored to show the nature of this Q-ply fabric. In this figure, the adjacent convolutions are shown separate for the sake of clearness, although it will be understood that in practice the adjacent convolutions are substantially in contact. An examination of Fig. 8 clearly shows an inner layer formed of the continu ously wound cord a, and another and outer layer f ned of the-continuously wound cord 5, the convolutions of the two cords crossing each other at an angle at both the inner and outer periphery of the fabric. At one side of the fabric however, (the side next to the observer in Fig. 8 and the side opposite to the position of the winding arms in Fig. l), the corresponding convolutions of the two windings are interlinked as shown at e in Fig. 8, while at the opposite side (the back, as viewed in Fig. 8), these convolu- -tions are not interlinked but are simply superposed as shown at f. In other words, the two cord layers are entirely superposed Xcept at the point e, where they are inter linked. This interlinking serves to knit the two layers together and to prevent relative displacement. It will be observed that since the cords are under tension and the convolutions are inclined away from the interlinking point, there might be a tendency for the outer turns to slip, but this interlinkage securely anchors the respective convolutions of the cords and prevents slippage. On the opposite side, adhesion of the rubberized cords will be sufficient to hold the convolutions in place.

Referring now to Fig. 11,1 have shown how the same principle can be applied to producing a tubular cord structure consist ing of convolutions wound in a plane at right-angles to the axis of the form. Iln

this modification, the end of the form a, instead of being beveled, is shown assquare as indicated at 4:". The winding arm 103 is scribed.

with the ether 1 figures,

.plied as to extend only 1 mg from my set- With its axis in the same verticalplane as that of the form. The Winding arm is mounted in bearings -104land passes through a stufiing box 104: similar to G l above de- The rear endof the arm carries a bevel :gear 105 which meshes with a'bevel gear 107 carriedat the upper end of a vertical shaft 106, (see Fig. 12.). Power is transmitted to this shaft 106 by means of a pinion 95 on the shaft of the motor 56, through the transmission gears 96 and 97, the latter of 'which is'rigid with a "bevel gear 101 meshing with a similar gear 102 "fast on the shaft 106.

The cutting and feeding mechanism is driven through a gear 98 meshing With gear 97 and mounted ona shaft 108. This shaft carriesa bevelgear 109 meshing with a bevel gear 110 on a shaft .corresponding With the shaft 5'? in Fig. 1.

The operation of this modification is exactly the same as described in connection 7 except thatthe cord is laid in'a plane at right-angles to the axis of the form. This may be desirable in some cases.

Moreover, I contemplate superposing a fabric similar to thatshown in Fig. 8 upon -a fabric suchas-shown in Fig. 11, so as to produce a 3-ply cord fabric, all of the layers of which are at an angle to each other. Moreover any ClGSIITGCl IHUHbQI Of layers can be superposed-so as'to form structures of li-ply, (S-ply, 8-ply,etc. as desired; Thusa tire carcass of any desired strength :canbe built up.

Moreover, I contemplate combining the three arms 63, 83, and 103 ina single machine, so that thethreelayers-may be apslmultaneously and continuously. Thus-the transverse layer will act'a's a bin'der for the two'dia gonal layers. This maybe accomplished by mounting the single arm shown in Figure 11 on the same base as'that the other two arms, shown in carrying and driving'all three-arms 1n syn- Figure 1, chronisi.

ing.

It will of course be understood that informing a tire carcass'of my improved fabric,-a piece of fabric'of the desired length is cut off-and its ends spliced to form a complete tire.

oncearoundthe Wheel or it may be long enough to extend two or three timesaround the wheel, inthe latter case the fabric being Wound spirally, and the successivelayers superposed. -After the carcass has thus been formed from 'therubberized fabric, it'will be 'assemble'd 1n asuitable mold I and vulcanized in a 1 manner Well known in the art.

While of course the cordstructure resultim proved method of manufactureis'not,'-=st-'rictly speaking, a fabric, st1l1 by means of interconnected gear The piece may be of such length" I'have used the Words cord fabric throughform, with successive convolutions of said cord in substantial contact throughout their length, causing the adjacent convolutions to adhere to constitute a. fabric, feeding the accumulated cord along the form asisuccessive turnsare laid, andslitting the resulting tubular cord structure longitudinally.

2. Themethod of producing a cord fabric which consists in continuously =Winjding a single-cord arounda fixed form ormandrel, withnsuccessive convolutions of said cord in substantial Contact, feeding the accumulated turns along the form a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the cord as each convolution is added, andslitting the resulting tubular .cord'structure. I

S.The method of producing a diagonal cord fabric which comprises winding' cord continuously around an elongated stationary form ma 1 xed plane intersecting the axis-of "he form atan acute angle, and feeding-the accmmilated turns along the form as successire convolutions are laid.

a. The method of producing a diagonal cord fabric which comprises winding a stantial contact throughout their. length," the said plane of winding intersecting the ZELXIS ofthe form at an acute angle, causing 21d? jacent c-onvolutions'to adhereto constitute a fabrlc and feeding the innshed fabrlc along the form as the cord is wound.

5. The method of producing a diagonal cord "fabric which comprises winding a single cord in a fixed plane continuously around an elongated, stationary 'form, with successive convolutions of said cor dlin substantial contact throughouttheir length, the said plane of winding intersecting .the'iaxis of the form at an acute angle,'whereby the cord is laid ina distortedhelix, causing adj'ace'nt'convolutions to adhere tov constitute a fabric, and feeding the finished fabric along the form as thecord is wound.

'6. The methodfof producing a cord fabric which consists :in winding a cord continuously around a stationary f form and over: a tape supported on said form, causing the successive cionvolutions to lie substantially in c'ontact throughout their length and to adhere to said tape, and to each wother,.toconstitute a tubularfabric, with-the tape inside, feedin'gsuch fabric-along the form as the cord is laid, and finally slitting said tubular cord fabric.

7. The method of producing a cord fabric which consists in winding an adhesive cord continuously around a form, with successive convolutions substantially in contact and. adhering to each other throughout their length, preventing the cord convolutions from sticking tothe form by interposing he *een the cord and the form a tape or +1 band, and causing said tape or band, together with the accumulated adhering turns of cord supported thereon to travel along the form as successive convolutions of cord are added.

8. The method of producing a tubular cord fabric which consists in simultaneous ly winding two cords around a form, each convolution of each cord lying substantially in a single plane, which planes intersect.

9. The method of producing a tubular cord fabric which consists in simultaneously winding two cords around a form at an angle to each other, and interlinlting the convolutions of the cords at one point.

10. The method of producing a tubular cord fabric which consists in simultaneous 1y winding two cords around a form at an angle to each other, in such manner that each convolution of one cord is interlinked with the corresponding convolution of the other.

11. The method of producing a tubular cord fabric which consists in simultaneously winding two cords around a form, the successive convolutions of each cord lying substantially in contact, and each convolution of one cord'crossing each adjacent con-- volution of the other cord at two points.

12. The method of producing a tubular cord fabric which consists in simultaneously winding two rubberized cords continuously around a form so as to cause successive convolutions of each cord to adhere to each other and the convolutions of one cord to be superposed upon and adhere to those of the other.

13. The method of producing a tubular cord fabric which consists in simultaneous ly winding two cords continuously around a form at an angle to each other, so that the convolutions of the two cords are interlinked to constitute a fabric, and feeding such fabric along the form as the cords are laid.

14. The method of producing a tubular cord fabric which consists in simultaneously and continuously winding two cords diagonally around a form at an angle to each other, so that the convolutions of the two cords are interlinked to constitute a fabric, and feeding such fabric along the form as the cords are laid.

15. The method of producing a tubular cord fabric which consists in simultaneously and continuously winding two cords around a form at an angle to each other so that the convolutions of one cord are in terlinlred with those of the other to constitute a fabric, and feeding such fabric along the form as the cords are laid.

16. The method of producing a tubular cord fabric which consists in simultaneously and continuously winding two cords around a form at an angle to each other so that the convolutions of the two cords are interlinked at one point, and superposed at all other points, causing said superposed convolutions to adhere to constitute a fabric, and feeding such fabric along the form as the cords are laid.

1'2". Means for producing a cord fabric suitable for use as the basis for. a pneumatic the carcass, comprising a fixed arcuate form having a radius of curvature approximately equal to that of the tire to be produced,

mechanism for winding a cord continuously around said form with the successive convolutions of the cord lying close together,

means for causing adjacent convolutions to be held together to constitute a fabric, and

means for feeding such fabric along the arcuate form as the cord is laid.

18. The combination with a fixed form or mandrel, of mechanism for continuously winding a single cord therearound in such manner that successive convolutions of said cord remain in substantial contact through out their length, means for feeding the accumulated turns of cord along the form as successive convolutions are added, means for longitudinally slitting the resulting tubular cord structure.

19. The combination with a fixed form or mandrel, of mechanism for continuously winding a cord diagonally around the same in such manner that successiveconvolutions of the cord remain close together in substantial contact, all parts of each convolution lying substantially in a single plane and Varying from such plane only by an amount equal to the diameter of the cord.

20. The combination with a fixed form or mandrel, of mechanism for continuously winding a single cord diagonally around the same, to produce a layer, with successive convolutions of said cord substantially in contact, and means for feeding the accumulated turns along the form as fast as successive convolutions are added. I

21. The combination with a fixed form or mandrel, of mechanism for continuously and simultaneously winding a plurality of cords around the same atangles to each other, and means for feeding the accumulated cords along the form a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the cord as successive convolutions are added;

22. The combination with a fixed form, means rotatable about different axes'for sii in and 7 ill) multaneously winding a plurality of adhesive cords around the same to produce a cord fabric, and means for feeding such fabric along the form as the cords are wound.

23. The combination with a fixed form having a passageway extending therethrough, longitudinally thereof, of means for causing a band or tape to travel from one end of the form through said passageway to the other end thereof, and thence back along and over the outer surface of said form, and means for continuously winding successive convolutions of cord around said form and onto said band as the latter travels along.

Qt. The combination with an elongated hollow form in the nature of a cantilever, fixed at one end and free at the other, of means for causing a'band or tape to enter the fixed end of said hollow form, pass through'the same to the free end, and then travel back along and over the outer surface thereof, and means for continuously winding cord around the free end of said form and the band supported on the surface thereof, as the latter moves along, the successive convolutions of cord traveling with such band toward the fixed end of the form.

25. The combination with a fixed, longitudinally curved form having one free end, of means for continuously winding a cord around said free end thereof, means for feeding the winding along the form toward the other end as successive convolutions are added, and means for cutting each convolution to effect its removal from the form.

26. The combination with an arcuate form, of meansfor producing a tubular flexible structure around the same, and means for causing such structure to travel along the form, such means comprising feeding devices at both the inner and outer peripheries of said form, means whereby such feeding devices tend to propel the adjacent parts of said structure at speeds proportional to the radii of curvature of the inner and outer peripheries of the form.

27. The combination with a fixed, longitudinally arcuate form, of means for producing a tubular flexible structure around the same, means for feeding such structure along the form, such means comprising feed rollers for engaging the structure at both 7 the inner and outer peripheries of said form, said rollers being'of different diameters.

28. The combination with an arcuate form, of means for producing a tubular flexible structure around the same, means for feeding such structure along the form, such means comprising feed rollers for engaging the structure at both the inner and outer peripheries of said form, the diameters of said rollers being proportional to the radii of curvature of the inner and outer peripheries of the form, respectively.

29. The combination with an elongated form or mandrel, of means for continuously winding cord around the same, comprising a rotary winding device having a cord delivery guide spaced radially from its axis of rotation, and means for causing said cord delivery guide to travel around said form in a fixed plane intersecting the axis of the form at an acute angle.

30. The combination with a form or mandrel, of means for continuously winding cord around the same comprising a pair of gyratory winding devices, and means for evolving said devices at the same speed about axes disposed at an angle: to each other.

31. The combination with an arcuate form, of means for continuously winding cord around one end thereof comprising a pair of gyratory winding arms, and means for rotating said arms about axes inclined to each other and to the plane of said form.

32. The combination with a rigid, fixed form or mandrel, of means for continuously winding cord around the same, said means comprising axis disposed at an angle to that of the form, and having cord delivery means at its free end, means for rotating said arm, and means for feeding the accumulated turns progressively along the form.

38. The combination with a transversely curved, longitudinally arcuate form, of independent means for continuously laying two threads diagonally around the same at an angle to each other to produce a tubular fabric of indefinite length, one of said threads being laid in a fixed plane, and means for removing said fabric continuously from said form as it is produced. 7

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

I EMANUEL INGHAM.

a crank arm rotatable about an 

